Nordic Aftermath part 3: The Classic Races

During my summer testing of the X-T2 I put myself through various photographic disciplines that I probably never would have tried out otherwise.

X-T2 & XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

X-T2 & XF23mmF1.4 R

The X-T2 is, rightfully, marketed at a different type of photographer than the X-Pro2. Even though similar in tech specs, their application of use is somewhat different. The X-T2 is very well suited for the sports-, wildlife- and action photographer where fast and precise autofocus is essential as well as great tracking capabilities. I was fortunate to attend two motorsport events this summer as a photographer. The Classic Race Aarhus 2016 and the Le Mans Classic 2016.

X-T2 & XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR

X-T2 & XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR

X-T2 & XF23mmF1.4 R

The X-T2 indeed proved itself as a perfect tool for this kind of photography. Using the power booster grip and mainly two types of lenses on the track, the XF50-140mmF2.8 and the XF10-24mmF4, I was able to put the new autofocusing system of the X-T2 to very good use. Off the track and on the grid the XF35mmF2 and the XF90mmF2 worked very well, while keeping the camera relatively discreet.

X-T2 & XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR

When doing motorsports photography it is absolutely crucial that you can1. Focus track the car without loosing focus lock.2. See where the car is at all times, when panning the frame.

X-T2 & XF10-24mmF4 R OIS

The X-T2 uses a lot more of the processing power and wider pipeline of the X-Processor Pro. This results in a much reduced blackout time in the EVF during fast bursts, so you can indeed follow the car through the frame even during high speed bursts.

X-T2 & XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR

The new autofocus algorithms as well as the new autofocus tracking modes are optimized to make tracking very stable under any circumstance. Using either the 11fps fast burst mode or the 5fps slow burst mode, catching the action was very easy, and accurate.

X-T2 & XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR

X-T2 & XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR

The typical panning shots of the racecars don't require the same autofocus speed and tracking sensitivity. This is more a testiment to a steady hand and some use of the OIS in the lenses. However the real test for the autofocus and blackout time improvements are when the cars drive towards you, or away from you at full speed. What I used for these situations was a burst mode of 3-5 fps using the linear acceleration/deceleration tracking mode.

When walking around a racetrack all day the weight of your gear is also very important. This is where the X-T2 kit has a great advantage over the often larger sized DSLRs typically used for this kind of photography. The entire kit that you need to carry all day simply weighs much less. When you're shooting off the track, walking the grid, doing candid style reportage shooting of the drivers and audience, it is still a very compact camera, that doesn't draw too much attention to itself.

X-T2 & XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR

All these new speed and focus enhancements to the X-T2 definitely make it usable for fast-paced action shooting. Yet, it retains its compact size making it ideal for reportage style shooting before and after the race.

X-T2 & XF10-24mmF4 R OIS

The X-T2 is a true multi-tool for the demanding photographer. You can put it through any situation and it rewards you with great images regardless.

About the Author

Jonas Dyhr Rask

Jonas Dyhr Rask (1980) is a General Practitioner of Medicine, G.P. M.D. from the university of Aarhus with a burning passion for the photographic medium.

His photographic career started in 2008 when he got his first Canon DSLR. Since then he has ventured into film photography of various formats, as well as the FUJIFILM X-System. His father being a wedding photographer, he grew up around cameras.

His photographic inspiration comes from the interplay between humans and their surroundings. Drawing directly from his degree in medicine, his type of street photography seeks to isolate the human element and direct focus towards it, using the cityscape as a stark material contrast. He brings this documentary street photography style to his contract photography work, where he functions as a documentary wedding photographer, as well as a childrens portrait photographer.

Using only available natural light, and using a candid approach, he seeks to document true life as it happens on the streets of Denmark without interfering or intervening.

Photographing mostly using high contrast black and white, he seeks to eliminate colors as a distraction to the subject and scenery, trying to bring story and emotion to the viewer.